5 Places To Play Around The World With ACO2

ACO2 brings together musicians from the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) with the rising stars of Australian music in 'Around The World'.

Starring Benjamin Schmid, a previous Guest Director of the ACO, this concert will embrace much-loved works in the string repertoire and take audiences on a journey through America, Russia, Germany, and voyage through Salzburg, Barcelona, Paris and Maputo with Berger’s Metropoles Suite for violin and strings led Benjamin.

Also featuring works by JS Bach, Tchaikovsky and Barber, Benjamin says, ‘Bach’s E major concerto is a classy classic – its second movement is eternal in its incredible beauty and quiet longing. Barber’s Adagio for strings is as popular as it is beautiful and it takes us to the music of the United States. The build-up in energy in Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence is compelling, merciless, and beautiful, and to experience that with an elite ensemble like ACO2 will be an essential sensation!’

Making their debut with ACO2 in 2015 are emerging artists Harry Bennetts, Madeleine Jevons, Amy Brookman (violins); Aurora Henrich (double bass); Martin Alexander (viola) and Ruben Palma (cellist).

‘Around the World’ will see the first public performances with ACO2 in their home state of Queensland for Amy and Martin. “I'm incredibly excited and overwhelmed about touring with ACO2 and when I found out that I was touring with Benjamin Schmid, I was absolutely over the moon. My family and friends haven't seen me play in over four years and to be touring in front of a home crowd as a member of ACO2 and alongside one of the finest violinists of our time is the most exciting way possible for me to return home,” says Amy.

These are five places Amy Brookman

New York

I would like to play the Barber Adagio in Grand Central Station in New York. Barber was an American composer, and I think it would be interesting playing his music among today's society in such a busy location and see the reactions of different people whether they take the time to stop and listen to this incredible piece of music?

Germany

I would love to play the Tchaikovsky in the Neuschwanstein Castle in Southwest Bavaria, Germany during the summer. Tchaikovsky wrote this piece in the summer of 1890. It would be so wonderful to play it in such a grand place that was around during the time this piece was written. The Castle was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a personal retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner.

Dover

I'd like to play the Bach Violin Concerto on the white cliffs of Dover. I think it would be so much fun playing this piece amongst such breathtaking views and pristine unspoiled coastlines.

Barcelona

I would like to play to play the in a busy street market party in Barcelona. This piece is so infectious and fun, I can imagine people dancing and singing, eating food surrounded by colourful buildings and lights.

Vienna

Lastly, I would love to play at Musikverein in Vienna. This venue is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and is known throughout the world for its superb acoustics and hosting conductors such Brahms, Bruckner and Mahler. Playing here would seem like being a part of the music history.

Benjamin Schmid also played along with the top five places he would love to play around the world:

Musikverein Wien, Austria

Already played works: Dvorak Violin Concerto, Korngold Violin Concerto, Mozart Violin Conerto, Mendelssohn Concerto op.64, Szymanowski Concerto No.1, Bartok Violin Concerto No.2, Bolcom Violin Concerto, Britten Violin Concerto, Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, Muthspiel Violin and Double Concertos, Beethoven Violin Concerto, Henze Violin Concerto (Vitalino Raddopiato), Berg Violin Concerto, Ravel Tzigane, Ysaye SoloSonata, etc..

Wien Musikverein has a unique acoustic and atmosphere. The sound carries well for the violin and strings, the golden colour is mesmerising, especially in the afternoon concerts when the red sunlight reflects from the windows into the golden hall. It always seems so glamorous and classy at the same time; people expect high-end culture and dress up for it. This hall makes music a feast before it even starts; you can feel all the tradition of 150 years musical life in Vienna. It’s the home of the Vienna Philharmonic. It has many wonderful memories for me; having tickets to the standing seats at the back of the hall throughout all my studying years in Vienna; listening to tonnes of concerts; getting to know a very experienced backstage manager, being at the meeting point of all the musicians in and coming to Vienna, actually having a violin-maker in the hall.

Stavanger Konzerthus, Norway

This a really new venue, not too big and not too small (maybe around 1,600 seats). It’s quite compact with a great atmosphere with purple seats and lots of light-coloured woodwork. It has a fantastic acoustic - modern, crystal clear but with enough reverb and ambiance that on stage, one feels free and inspired to play from pianissimo to fortissimo. It’s in a really nice location by the water, with a great backstage area, and great management.

Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Holland

This is one of the world’s most precious and prestigious halls, and it’s quite traditional. It has a wonderful entrance, the seats are the most beautiful red, and it has a big stage with wonderful acoustics. The patrons are informed and discerning audience, and it has a great bar – a very special hall right in the heart of Amsterdam.

City Opera Hall Tokyo, Japan

This is a modern hall with a fantastic acoustic for violin; you just tune your violin and it already sounds like very attractive music, the sound is a miracle, no matter how you touch your instrument, it is going to sound fascinating and radiant, a modern sound, very clean and precise. Backstage is perfectly organised as just about everything is in Japan great scheduling and service, of course.

Salzburg Mozarteum, Grosser Saal, Austria and Teatro di Mantova, Italy

The Salzburg Mozarteum is my performing home. It’s an historic hall with 800 seats, and perfect for playing the violin in any context: solo, duo, chamber music , chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra. There is no better hall anywhere for playing for Mozart or Beethoven concertos. The great violinist and conductor, Sandor Vegh, called it the ‘Stradivari Of Concert Halls’ which I also believe to be true. I have had countless memorable experiences there, both as a player, and as member of the audience.

The Teatro Bibiena di Mantovaold is an incredibly beautiful Baroque Italian theatre, with wonderful acoustics, an electrifying atmosphere. It’s a small hall, with mesmerising architecture as can only be found in Italy – a real treasure.

I would also have to name: Sala Sao Paulo (Brazil), Theatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Carnegie Hall (New York), Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Town Hall in Auckland, City Hall in Cape Town, National Concert Hall in Taiwan, and the Porgy & Bess Jazz Club (Vienna), and many more small venues!

ACO2 perform 'Around The World' at the Redland Performing Arts Centre, 27 May.

Australian Chamber Orchestra Tour Dates

Thurs 14 May – Armidale Town Hall
Sat 16 May – Bellingen Memorial Hall
Sun 17 May – St John's School Hall (Mullumbimby)
Tues 19 May – The Arts Centre Gold Coast
Fri 22 May – Nambour Civic Centre
Sat 23 May – Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
Sun 24 May – Gladstone Entertainment Centre
Wed 27 May – Redland Performing Arts Centre
Fri 29 May – Mt Isa